Unqualified Brothers

Monday morning sunlight spilled through the narrow window of Maeve's cramped storage room, casting long shadows across the bare floorboards. She pushed open the thin door, stepping out into the sprawling, opulent second-floor hallway of the Vance estate. Today was her designated registration day at the elite Crownpoint University.

Before she could even take three steps, a glaring display of family favoritism caught her eye. A gold-framed first-prize piano certificate hung dead center on the expensive silk wallpaper, flaunted prominently right across from her makeshift bedroom. It was a stark, intentional reminder of her mother Lydia’s priorities. Lydia was already gone. She had vacated the estate early in the morning to attend a high-society socialite party, armed with a new designer bag and a singular mission: to boast endlessly about Elise’s superficial musical achievements to anyone who would listen.

Maeve gave the certificate a passing glance. Unfazed by the psychological slight, she turned and headed toward the grand staircase.

Halfway down the sweeping marble steps, her path was abruptly blocked.

A hostile welcoming committee stood waiting at the landing. Her twin sister, Elise, flanked by two of their five older brothers, Caleb and Nolan. This was the very first time Maeve had laid eyes on her brothers since returning from her thirteen-year exile three days ago. Notably, neither man offered a single word of warmth, comfort, or welcome. Instead, they stared up at her with a heavy mixture of judgment and apprehension.

Maeve stopped on the steps. She crossed her arms in a stance of relaxed defiance, looking down at the trio nonchalantly.

"What do you want?" she asked in a flat tone.

Elise stepped forward. She wore a meticulously chosen, pristine white dress that screamed 'cherished daughter,' a sharp contrast to Maeve's simple, unadorned attire.

"Maeve, today is your first day at Crownpoint. Dad is abroad on business, and he specifically requested Caleb and Nolan to look after you." Elise adopted a sickeningly soft, concerned voice. "He wants them to instruct you in basic gun-firing and computer skills before you step foot on campus. He is worried you might not be used to things after spending over a decade rotting in that poor, backward village."

Maeve slowly shifted her cold gaze from her twin to the two men standing like sentinels. Without a trace of hesitation, she replied in a calm, even tone.

"You two aren't good enough to teach me."

The statement hung heavily in the air.

Internally, Maeve knew this was an undeniable fact. As the legendary, internationally feared queen of mercenaries, her marksmanship remained unparalleled on global battlefields. Her hacking skills could breach military-grade mainframes in seconds. She required zero instruction from local amateurs who had never seen real combat.

Her cold nonchalance struck the two brothers like a physical blow. Caleb and Nolan were not average citizens. Though they had not yet breached the god-tier ranks of the elite Zenith Sanctum, Caleb was a heavily decorated, outstanding marksman, and Nolan was a top-tier hacker. Both were respected, formidable figures within Valerius's high society. They had never harbored any affection for Maeve's distant, unyielding nature, vastly preferring the sweet, obedient demeanor of Elise.

Caleb's resentment ran deep. He still harbored a bitter childhood grudge. Years ago, Maeve’s blunt, uncompromising honesty over some hidden gun manuals nearly resulted in Caleb receiving a severe, brutal beating from their strict father. He never forgave her for refusing to cover for him.

Maeve's effortless dismissal instantly ignited Caleb's volatile temper. His face flushed a dark, angry red.

"What a joke!" Caleb snapped, stepping closer to the base of the stairs, his hands balled into fists. "What makes you think you are so special? You really believe two recognized Valerius elites cannot teach a dirty country girl? All you do is talk big. You have no real skills. Is that what you learned out in the sticks? You had better learn to behave and follow our lead."

Nolan chimed in quickly. He felt equally insulted and terrified that Maeve's sheer arrogance would single-handedly ruin the prestigious Vance family's immaculate reputation in the city.

"He is right. Do not embarrass us at school. If you cannot speak properly, you should just shut your mouth entirely." Nolan warned sternly, his eyes narrowing behind his glasses.

Maeve lowered her eyes for a fraction of a second. She quietly absorbed the concentrated hostility radiating from her own blood.

After thirteen agonizing years of absence, she had returned to a home devoid of warmth, kindness, or family loyalty. She found only sharp sarcasm and deep contempt. A poignant realization washed over her. She finally, truly understood her subordinate Siren’s cynical battlefield remark. They were just strangers with the same blood.

Slowly, a faint, chilling smile touched Maeve's lips. Her gaze snapped up, turning as sharp and unforgiving as ice.

She stepped closer to the edge of the stairs. Her presence grew suddenly heavy and suffocating, rolling down the marble steps and pressing against the trio with the weight of a seasoned killer.

"I will say it one last time. There is nothing in this world I cannot do. No teacher can teach me. And you two? You are not even close." Maeve delivered her final verdict in a low, dangerously calm voice.

Her internal monologue echoed the undeniable truth. Even the revered, mythical old-timers operating at the very top of Zenith Sanctum did not possess the qualifications to be her teachers.